Original
Modern English
Three thousand ducats; well.
Three thousand ducats; okay.
Ay, sir, for three months.
Yes, sir, for three months.
For three months; well.
For three months; okay.
For the which, as I told you, Antonio shall be bound.
For which, as I told you, Antonio will be responsible.
Antonio shall become bound; well.
Antonio will be responsible; okay.
May you stead me? will you pleasure me? shall I know your answer?
Can you help me? Will you do me a favor? Will I know your answer?
Three thousand ducats for three months and Antonio bound.
Three thousand ducats for three months, and Antonio as a guarantee.
Your answer to that.
What’s your answer to that?
Antonio is a good man.
Antonio is a good man.
Have you heard any imputation to the contrary?
Have you heard anything that says otherwise?
Oh, no, no, no, no: my meaning in saying he is a good man is to have you understand me that he is sufficient. Yet his means are in supposition: he hath an argosy bound to Tripolis, another to the Indies; I understand moreover, upon the Rialto, he hath a third at Mexico, a fourth for England, and other ventures he hath, squandered abroad. But ships are but boards, sailors but men: there be land-rats and water-rats, water-thieves and land-thieves, I mean pirates, and then there is the peril of waters, winds and rocks. The man is, notwithstanding, sufficient. Three thousand ducats; I think I may take his bond.
Oh, no, no, no, no: when I say he’s a good man, I mean that he’s capable. But his wealth is uncertain: he has a ship going to Tripolis, another to the Indies; I also hear that on the Rialto, he has a third ship at Mexico, a fourth for England, and other investments he’s spread around. But ships are just wooden boards, and sailors are just men: there are land-rats and water-rats, thieves of the land and thieves of the sea, I mean pirates, and then there’s the danger of the sea, winds, and rocks. Even so, the man is capable. Three thousand ducats; I think I can take his bond.
Be assured you may.
You can be sure you can.
I will be assured I may; and, that I may be assured, I will bethink me. May I speak with Antonio?
I will be sure I can; and to make sure, I will think it over. May I speak with Antonio?
If it please you to dine with us.
If you’d like, you’re welcome to join us for dinner.
Yes, to smell pork; to eat of the habitation which your prophet the Nazarite conjured the devil into. I will buy with you, sell with you, talk with you, walk with you, and so following, but I will not eat with you, drink with you, nor pray with you. What news on the Rialto? Who is he comes here?
Yes, to smell pork; to eat the kind of food your prophet, the Nazarene, cast the devil into. I will trade with you, sell with you, talk with you, walk with you, and so on, but I won’t eat with you, drink with you, or pray with you. What’s the latest news on the Rialto? Who is this coming here?
This is Signior Antonio.
This is Signior Antonio.
[Aside] How like a fawning publican he looks! I hate him for he is a Christian, But more for that in low simplicity He lends out money gratis and brings down The rate of usance here with us in Venice. If I can catch him once upon the hip, I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him. He hates our sacred nation, and he rails, Even there where merchants most do congregate, On me, my bargains and my well-won thrift, Which he calls interest. Cursed be my tribe, If I forgive him!
[Aside] How much like a humble, obsequious money-lender he looks! I hate him because he’s a Christian, But even more because, in his simple-mindedness, He lends money for free and lowers The interest rate here in Venice. If I can catch him off guard, I will make him pay for the long-standing grudge I have against him. He hates our sacred people, and he insults, Even in places where merchants gather, Me, my deals, and my hard-earned money, Which he calls "interest." Damn my people, If I forgive him!
Shylock, do you hear?
Shylock, are you listening?
I am debating of my present store, And, by the near guess of my memory, I cannot instantly raise up the gross Of full three thousand ducats. What of that? Tubal, a wealthy Hebrew of my tribe, Will furnish me. But soft! how many months Do you desire?
I’m thinking about my current money situation, And, as best as I can remember, I can’t raise the full amount of three thousand ducats right away. What’s the problem with that? Tubal, a rich Jew from my community, Will lend it to me. But wait! How many months Do you need the loan for?
Rest you fair, good signior; Your worship was the last man in our mouths.
Rest easy, good sir; Your name was the last one we were talking about.
Shylock, although I neither lend nor borrow By taking nor by giving of excess, Yet, to supply the ripe wants of my friend, I’ll break a custom. Is he yet possess’d How much ye would?
Shylock, even though I neither lend nor borrow By taking nor by giving interest, Still, to help my friend’s urgent needs, I’ll break a custom. Does he already have The amount you would like to borrow?
Ay, ay, three thousand ducats.
Yes, yes, three thousand ducats.
And for three months.
And for three months.
I had forgot; three months; you told me so. Well then, your bond; and let me see; but hear you; Methought you said you neither lend nor borrow Upon advantage.
I had forgotten; three months; you told me so. Well then, here’s your bond; let me see; but wait; Didn’t you say you neither lend nor borrow For profit?
I do never use it.
I never do.
When Jacob grazed his uncle Laban’s sheep-- This Jacob from our holy Abram was, As his wise mother wrought in his behalf, The third possessor; ay, he was the third--
When Jacob tended his uncle Laban’s sheep-- This Jacob, from our holy Abraham, was, As his wise mother helped him, the third possessor; yes, he was the third--
And what of him? did he take interest?
And what about him? Did he take interest?
No, not take interest, not, as you would say, Directly interest: mark what Jacob did. When Laban and himself were compromised That all the eanlings which were streak’d and pied Should fall as Jacob’s hire, the ewes, being rank, In the end of autumn turned to the rams, And, when the work of generation was Between these woolly breeders in the act, The skilful shepherd peel’d me certain wands, And, in the doing of the deed of kind, He stuck them up before the fulsome ewes, Who then conceiving did in eaning time Fall parti-colour’d lambs, and those were Jacob’s. This was a way to thrive, and he was blest: And thrift is blessing, if men steal it not.
No, he didn’t take interest, not in the way you mean, But pay attention to what Jacob did. When Laban and he agreed That all the lambs with streaks and spots Would be Jacob’s wages, the ewes, being pregnant, At the end of autumn, turned to the rams, And, when the act of reproduction was Happening between these woolly creatures, The skilled shepherd peeled certain branches, And, while the mating was happening, He placed them in front of the fertile ewes, Who then conceived and gave birth to multicolored lambs, which were Jacob’s. This was a way to thrive, and he was blessed: And prosperity is a blessing, if people don’t steal it.
This was a venture, sir, that Jacob served for; A thing not in his power to bring to pass, But sway’d and fashion’d by the hand of heaven. Was this inserted to make interest good? Or is your gold and silver ewes and rams?
This was a gamble, sir, that Jacob worked for; Something beyond his control to make happen, But guided and shaped by the hand of heaven. Was this done to make interest work? Or is your gold and silver like the ewes and rams?
I cannot tell; I make it breed as fast: But note me, signior.
I can’t say; I just make it multiply as fast as I can: But pay attention, sir.
Mark you this, Bassanio, The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose. An evil soul producing holy witness Is like a villain with a smiling cheek, A goodly apple rotten at the heart: O, what a goodly outside falsehood hath!
Listen to this, Bassanio, The devil can quote Scripture for his own purpose. A wicked soul using holy scripture Is like a villain with a smiling face, A good-looking apple that’s rotten at the core: Oh, what a beautiful appearance falsehood can have!
Three thousand ducats; ’tis a good round sum. Three months from twelve; then, let me see; the rate--
Three thousand ducats; it’s a nice round sum. Three months from twelve; let me see; the rate--
Well, Shylock, shall we be beholding to you?
Well, Shylock, shall we owe you this money?
Signior Antonio, many a time and oft In the Rialto you have rated me About my moneys and my usances: Still have I borne it with a patient shrug, For sufferance is the badge of all our tribe. You call me misbeliever, cut-throat dog, And spit upon my Jewish gaberdine, And all for use of that which is mine own. Well then, it now appears you need my help: Go to, then; you come to me, and you say ’Shylock, we would have moneys:’ you say so; You, that did void your rheum upon my beard And foot me as you spurn a stranger cur Over your threshold: moneys is your suit What should I say to you? Should I not say ’Hath a dog money? is it possible A cur can lend three thousand ducats?’ Or Shall I bend low and in a bondman’s key, With bated breath and whispering humbleness, Say this; ’Fair sir, you spit on me on Wednesday last; You spurn’d me such a day; another time You call’d me dog; and for these courtesies I’ll lend you thus much moneys’?
Sir Antonio, many times and often In the Rialto you have insulted me About my money and my lending rates: I have always endured it patiently, For endurance is the mark of our people. You’ve called me a non-believer, a murderous dog, And spat on my Jewish cloak, And all because of my use of what belongs to me. Well, now it seems you need my help: So, you come to me, and you say "Shylock, we want money:" you say so; You, who spit on my beard last Wednesday, And kicked me like a stray dog Over your threshold: money is your request What should I say to you? Should I not say "Does a dog have money? Is it possible A cur can lend three thousand ducats?" Or Should I bow low and humbly, With downcast eyes and whispering humility, and say: "Fair sir, you spat on me last Wednesday; You kicked me on such and such a day; another time You called me a dog; and for these kindnesses I’ll lend you this money?"
I am as like to call thee so again, To spit on thee again, to spurn thee too. If thou wilt lend this money, lend it not As to thy friends; for when did friendship take A breed for barren metal of his friend? But lend it rather to thine enemy, Who, if he break, thou mayst with better face Exact the penalty.
I’m just as likely to call you a dog again, To spit on you again, to kick you again. If you’re going to lend this money, don’t lend it As if we’re friends; because when has friendship ever Taken a fee for lending money to a friend? But lend it rather to your enemy, Who, if he defaults, you can more easily Enforce the penalty.
Why, look you, how you storm! I would be friends with you and have your love, Forget the shames that you have stain’d me with, Supply your present wants and take no doit Of usance for my moneys, and you’ll not hear me: This is kind I offer.
Look at how angry you are! I want to be friends with you and have your love, Forget the wrongs you’ve done to me, Lend me what you need right now, and don’t charge me any interest On the money I gave you, and you won’t hear me complain: This is the kindness I’m offering.
This were kindness.
That would be kindness.
This kindness will I show. Go with me to a notary, seal me there Your single bond; and, in a merry sport, If you repay me not on such a day, In such a place, such sum or sums as are Express’d in the condition, let the forfeit Be nominated for an equal pound Of your fair flesh, to be cut off and taken In what part of your body pleaseth me.
This is the kindness I’ll show. Come with me to a notary, sign your bond there, And, as a joke, If you don’t pay me back on such a day, In such a place, the amount or amounts as are Written in the agreement, let the penalty Be set as an equal pound Of your own flesh, to be cut off and taken From whichever part of your body I choose.
Content, i’ faith: I’ll seal to such a bond And say there is much kindness in the Jew.
Fine, I’ll do it: I’ll sign the bond And say that the Jew is very kind.
You shall not seal to such a bond for me: I’ll rather dwell in my necessity.
You won’t sign that bond for me: I’d rather face my own problems.
Why, fear not, man; I will not forfeit it: Within these two months, that’s a month before This bond expires, I do expect return Of thrice three times the value of this bond.
Don’t worry, man; I won’t break the agreement: In these two months, which is a month before This bond expires, I expect to get back Three times the amount of this bond.
O father Abram, what these Christians are, Whose own hard dealings teaches them suspect The thoughts of others! Pray you, tell me this; If he should break his day, what should I gain By the exaction of the forfeiture? A pound of man’s flesh taken from a man Is not so estimable, profitable neither, As flesh of muttons, beefs, or goats. I say, To buy his favour, I extend this friendship: If he will take it, so; if not, adieu; And, for my love, I pray you wrong me not.
Oh Father Abraham, look at what these Christians are like, Whose own harsh dealings make them suspicious Of the intentions of others! Please, tell me this; If he breaks his promise, what will I gain From taking the penalty? A pound of flesh taken from a man Isn’t as valuable or profitable, As the flesh of sheep, cows, or goats. I’m saying, To buy his favor, I offer this friendship: If he accepts it, fine; if not, goodbye; And, for my sake, please don’t wrong me.
Yes Shylock, I will seal unto this bond.
Yes, Shylock, I’ll sign the bond.
Then meet me forthwith at the notary’s; Give him direction for this merry bond, And I will go and purse the ducats straight, See to my house, left in the fearful guard Of an unthrifty knave, and presently I will be with you.
Then meet me right away at the notary’s; Give him instructions for this friendly bond, And I’ll go collect the money right away, Check on my house, left under the care Of a worthless fool, and soon I’ll be with you.
Hie thee, gentle Jew.
Go quickly, gentle Jew.
The Hebrew will turn Christian: he grows kind.
Now the Hebrew will convert to Christianity: he’s becoming kind.
I like not fair terms and a villain’s mind.
I don’t trust pretty words and a villain’s heart.
Come on: in this there can be no dismay; My ships come home a month before the day.
Don’t worry: there’s nothing to be afraid of; My ships will return a month before the deadline.